Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

John Smith 1938-1994:: Donald Macintyre and Patricia Wynn Davies assess the potential contenders for the Labour leadership: Margaret Beckett, 51

Donald Macintyre
Thursday 12 May 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Current post: acting party leader

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, the daughter of a carpenter and a teacher, Mrs Beckett is an articulate lieutenant who has proved the strong woman of Labour's long march to electability.

She swung from 'sensible left' to hard Bennite left and back again, is a former CND campaigner and living proof that Neil Kinnock did not bear grudges.

During the 1981 party conference, white- faced and trembling with anger at the Tribune rally, she accused Mr Kinnock of being a 'Judas' for failing to vote for Tony Benn in the deputy leadership contest. She was immediately slapped down by Joan Lester, who reminded the audience that when she resigned as an education minister in protest at cuts, she was replaced by Mrs Beckett.

A former engineer, she was John Smith's deputy as shadow Chief Secretary before the last election, resolutely refusing spending pledges from Shadow Cabinet colleagues. After the election, she was quickly earmarked by the TGWU - who sponsor her - and by GMB union bosses as a 'dream ticket' running-mate in a John Smith leadership campaign.

Married with two stepsons, she looks - to borrow Andrew Roth's elegant phrase - 'like a smaller, working-class Princess Anne'.

Highly ambitious, fighting a tough battle against John Prescott to take the deputy leadership in 1992, she has combined her deputy leader post with that of campaigns director, turning in competent performances on both scores. She is also one of the few Labour MPs with experience in Government. She came close to blundering at last year's party conference, however, by appearing lukewarm over one member, one vote.

(Photograph omitted)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in